By ROSE NACALABAN-CABAHUG
Contributor
DEFENDING champion Gamba 97 intends to end its best-of-3 series with Salig 2000 tonight in the Xavier University High School (XUHS) Alumni Basketball League Season 11 at XU Main Campus, Cagayan de Oro City.
Gamba 97 was convincing in taking the opener, 92-78 of the St. Peter Faber Cup Final last Saturday with bull-strong
Andrew Neri and former UE Warriors Jay-Ar Estrada dominated the boards to turn a close first-quarter action, 22-20 into a twin-digit halftime lead, 51-41.
But the younger Salig 2000 quintet is not about to give up with the spitfire Diovelyn “Jay-r” Valledor, who exploded with 31 points, baiting Jim Vincent “Inchik” Lim into early foul trouble.
Rhoel 'Buchok' Biongcog was also on fire with his 20 points as the sweet-shooting John Douglas Zapanta connected four 3-pointers.
Although comfortably ahead by 13, 72-59 at the start of the fourth quarter, coach Virg Cabahug had to adjust player rotation after Ronald Adeva stumbled on the floor with a twisted knee.
Neri, Estrada, and Dexter Latosa were also given rest due to cramps with still 6:46 remaining, giving Niku Valles the offensive load alongside defense specialist Kane Acedera to keep the lead as XUHS 2000 missed 60 percent of their free throw attempts.
“Batch 2000 is a formidable team. They were undefeated before the finals. So, I expect that they will come back strong. But we are ready. We will defend our crown," Cabahug said.
For Batch 2000 team skipper Bimboy Cabrezos, their hope is still alive as far as the Faber Cup championship crown is concerned.
“We will bounce back. First loss of the season… lisod itulog. But we'll just stick to our game plans. Hopefully, we can limit their offensive and defensive rebounds in Game 2. We stand as one. Salig lang 2000” Cabrezos said.
Batch 1997 and 2000 tangle at 7:30 p.m., followed by the St. Francis Xavier Cup finals between Sprockets 1995 and Xavier United Templars. Sprockets leads the series, 1-0.
On Saturday, November 19, Batch 2006 and Batch 2005 will dispute the St. Ignatius of Loyola Cup title, while Batch 2010 and Batch 2011 will fight for the St. Jean de Brebeuf Cup diadem.
Both 2005 and 2011 are hoping to extend the series after falling short in their opening matches.
The score:
Gamba 97 – Valles 25, Neri 22, Estrada 15, Latosa 14, Dagcuta 8, Lim 6, Acedera 2.
Salig 2000 – Valledor 31, Biongcog 20, Zapanta 12, Salcedo 6, Quino 3, Cabrezos 2, Alcordo 2, Tamayo 2.
